Devotionals

Harsh words spoken against us are hard to bear, but as we have seen in Ecclesiastes 7:21–22, we have to develop discernment regarding when to take these words seriously and when we should ignore them. We should also keep in ...Read More

Seeing the wicked succeed can be discouraging, especially when we are suffering for the sake of righteousness. Yet what we should never do, today’s passage tells us, is envy the wicked and their success. The success of the wicked is ...Read More

Coming to understand the limitations of our knowledge and wisdom can be deeply sorrowing. At the same time, however, there are senses in which it can be liberating. First, knowing the limits of our own understanding forces us to flee ...Read More

Matthew Henry comments on today’s passage, “Those are truly valuable, and shall be valued, who value themselves more by their virtue and piety than by their worldly wealth and dignity.” A life of wisdom gained by heeding the godly instruction ...Read More

As Christians, we know that the life to which Ecclesiastes points, that which is beyond life “under the sun” in this present world, is life in the presence of God Himself. Ultimately, we can find meaning in life only in ...Read More

Today’s passage shows us yet again that even the Apostles had valued coworkers in ministry and depended on others for their efforts. Indeed, this is how the Lord has made us—to rely on each other for fellowship and for assistance ...Read More

Sometimes the external call to a particular vocation comes before a man or woman receives an internal call. If several individuals are noticing particular gifts in you or are suggesting that you pursue a certain line of work, it is ...Read More

Paul said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16b). He had an unquenchable desire to preach the gospel, as God had called Him to the vocation of pastor, church planter, and Apostle, granting him ...Read More

We can take godly pride in serving the Lord successfully when we recognize that we have been only instruments in the Lord’s hand, instruments of His work and not ultimately the workers ourselves. Because we are God’s instruments, our goal ...Read More

Though we sometimes feel guilty for things that are not actually sins, we should always pay attention to the voice of our consciences when we experience guilt. When we feel guilt, we must endeavor to understand, according to God’s Word, ...Read More